Fife convenience store Greens of Markinch yesterday (Wednesday) teamed up with the Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) to educate over 300 children from Markinch Primary School on healthy eating. 

Greens of Markinch, owned by Eros Retail, welcomed children to the store for the Eat Better Feel Better day, part of the SGF’s Healthy Living Programme. 

Pupils were designated 20-minute time slots where they sampled different types of fruit and vegetables, including exotic varieties, while three representatives from the SGF also delivered a presentation on healthy eating. 

Dougie Anderson, business development manager at Eros Retail, said: “The children really enjoyed learning about all the different types of fresh fruit and vegetables and they loved trying the exotic fruit and vegetables that they hadn’t tried before, such as guava, avocado and plantain. 

“The teachers also provided excellent feedback and enjoyed the experience so much that they have now scheduled another day for a healthy breakfast session for later in the year. We really wanted to do something in the community to make a difference and it is important that the children learn about healthy eating as it gives them a good start in life, by eating right it helps them to concentrate at school too.”

Staff at the primary school in Fife will revisit the store in Markinch again later in the year to take part in a healthy breakfast day, where staff will give out samples of prepared healthy breakfasts such as porridge, bananas on toast and granola to help inspire children to eat a more substantial meal before the school day. 

Nisa supported the programme by supplying fresh food for the sampling day, while Warburtons, Lomond Wholesale and AG.Barr provided bread thins, soup and bottled water respectively, for goodie bags that children took away.